Trail conditions at Staunton State Park

Staunton State Park trails report for November 2, 2019
This report is accurate as of the above date and will be changing this week due to dryer, warmer weather. Due to recent storms all trails in the park have some degree of precipitation on them. Melting and re-freezing will take place this week, so expect some icy patches as this occurs. The snow cover is not deep---several inches-- so cross country skiing is not possible, but snow shoeing can occur on some upper trails such as Bear Paw, West Meadow, Chimney Rock, Marmot Passage and upper Mason Creek. Spikes are recommended for most upper trails.

Lower trails
These include lower Mason Creek, Staunton Ranch, Chase Meadow, the Cabin District area, Davis Ponds, the access road and climbing access trails. These trails are a mixture of slush, mud and ice with some dry areas and will dry quickly in the next several days.

Upper trails
Upper Mason Creek (MC)--snow covered and icy with some packing
Border Line (BL)--snow covered and icy
Bear Paw (BP)--snow covered and icy
Old Mill (OM)--snow covered with some packing
Marmot Passage (MP)--snow covered and snow packed with some dry areas on the west side
Scout Line (SL)--snow covered with some dry areas
Chimney Rock (CR)--snow covered but broken in
Elk Falls (EF)--snow covered with some dry areas
Lions Back (LB)--snow covered but broken in
Lions Head (LH)--snow covered but broken in
West Meadow (WM)--snow covered but broken in
Bugling Elk (BE)--snow packed and icy with drying on west side

Trails report for Staunton State Park for November 9, 2019:

Warmer temperatures and dry weather has resulted in dryer conditions for many trails in the park. ALL lower trails are dry while thawing and re-freezing has resulted in icy conditions on many of the upper trails. With the exception of the early part of this week, warmer and dryer conditions will result in more drying of trails and a continuation of thawing and re-freezing with some icy conditions on upper trails.

Cautions: Mason Creek Canyon has long stretches of dangerous, glassy ice. Bikers and hikers should use extreme caution, especially coming down the canyon. Upper trails also have stretches of ice. Spikes are recommended for some of the upper trails due to these icy conditions.

No snow shoeing or skiing is possible on any trails in the park.

Lower trails: with the exception of a few shady spots where the trail is icy, lower trails are dry. These include Staunton Ranch (SR). Davis Ponds (DP), lower Mason Creek (MC), all climbing access trails, the cabin district trails, Chase Meadow (CM) and the access road.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--long stretches of dangerous, glassy ice...caution is needed, especially coming down the trail
• upper Mason Creek (MC)--stretches of packed snow and ice along with some drying....spikes recommended
• Bear Paw (BP)--icy and snow packed....some drying on the upper sections.
• Old Mill (OM)--drying mixed with a few snow packed and icy spots
• Border Line (BL)--mostly dry with some areas of ice and snow pack
• Scout Line (SL)--some drying with areas of snow pack and ice
• Marmot Passage (MP)--east side and summit--some snow packed and icy spots---west side is mostly dry
• Chimney Rock (CR)--snow packed and icy, especially on the lower (east) side with drying areas on the upper sections
• Elk Falls (EF)--mostly dry
• Lions Back (LB)--areas of snow pack and ice with some drying
• Lions Head (LH)--snow packed
• West Meadow (WM)--snow pack mixed with drying conditions
• Bugling Elk (BE)--drying conditions especially on the west side with some snow pack in shaded areas

Staunton State Park trails report for November 17, 2019

The park received very little precipitation this week. Lower trails are mostly dry, but upper trails have sections of icy and snow packed conditions. Expect the drying trend to continue into the beginning of this week with continued warmer and dryer weather. Conditions may change as wetter weather is expected toward the later part of this week.

Davis Ponds is mostly open, but with colder temperatures this week could freeze back up. Elk Falls Pond is covered in ice.

! Cautions: Mason Creek canyon is icy and caution is needed especially when coming down this section of trail. Hikers should use spikes and bikers should consider dismounting through here.

The junction of Lions Back and Chimney Rock trails is icy and caution is needed when navigating through here.

Spikes are recommended for hikers on some upper trails, especially Chimney Rock's east side, Mason Creek, West Meadow and Bear Paw.

No snow shoeing or skiing is possible in the park.

Lower trails:
All lower trails are mostly dry. These include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), the Cabin District, the access road and all climbing access trails.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--icy and hazardous...spikes recommended
• Mason Creek (MC)--some drying mixed with snow pack and ice
• Bear Paw (BP)--lower sections are snow packed and icy, upper trail is mostly dry
• Old Mill (OM)--mostly dry with some icy patches
• Border Line (BL)--mostly dry with some snow packed and icy patches
• Scout Line (SL)--mostly dry with a few icy patches
• Marmot Passage (MP)--east side and summit has some icy and snow packed patches, west side is dry
• Chimney Rock (CR)--the east side is very icy to the junction of Elk Falls trail. Bikers should take extreme caution especially coming down this trail and hikers should use spikes. Upper section is mostly dry
• Lions Back (LB)--some dry areas mixed with snow pack and ice. Use extreme caution coming down to the junction with Chimney Rock. This area is very icy.
• Lions Head (LH)--snow packed and icy with some dry spots
• West Meadow (WM)--snow packed and icy---some drying on the upper sections---spikes are recommended for this trail.
• Bugling Elk (BE)--west side is dry while east side has some icy areas and snow pack

Staunton Trail Report Update December 1st

Davis Ponds has about 4 inches of unsafe ice. It has a snow cone like texture, with no clear sections, and is brittle. Please use caution if going to the ponds.

All trails are snow covered/icy. Staunton Ranch and much of Mason Creek is packed down with icy sections.

As you get further West, trails such as West Meadow, Marmot Passage, and Scout line have seen little to no traffic. The snow here is 4-6 inches of sticky snow.

Drifts on Bugling Elk are up to 4 feet deep with a couple tracks broken in.

Staunton State Park trails report for December 7, 2019

Due to recent storms ALL trails in the park are covered with some form of precipitation. Lower trails are snow packed and icy with some drying. Some upper trails, especially on the west side of the park, have deep snow and some trails have not been fully broken in. Expect trails to continue to be snow covered this week due to more snow in the forecast.

Cautions: Icy conditions exist in Mason Creek canyon. Hikers are urged to use traction and bikers should be extremely cautious, especially when coming down this section of trail. Also, expect slick conditions at the junction of Chimney Rock and Lions Back trails.

Snow shoeing is possible on some upper trails including Bear Paw and West Meadow. Hikers are recommended to use tractions on all trails.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch, Davis Ponds, lower Mason Creek, the cabin district, Chase Meadow, all climbing access and the access road---conditions are snow packed and icy, especially in the morning...some dry areas exist.

Upper trails:

Mason Creek canyon--(MC)--icy and snow packed...spikes recommended
Upper Mason Creek--(MC)--snow packed and icy
Bear Paw--(BP)--deep snow---packed and icy in spots
Border Line--BL)--snow packed and icy
Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed and icy
Scout Line--(SL)--snow packed and icy
Marmot Passage--(MP)--east side and summit--snow packed and icy---west side--some drying mixed with snow pack and icy conditions
Chimney Rock--(CR)--snow packed and icy--spikes recommended
Elk Falls--(EF)--snow pack with some drying
Lions Back--(LB)--very little snow pack---not well broken in
Lions Head--(LH)--not broken in
West Meadow--(WM)--not well packed with deep snow in areas
Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow packed

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday December 21, 2019

As of the above date, ALL trails in the park are still covered with some form of precipitation. Some drying has occurred, especially on lower trails and this trend will continue with warmer, dryer weather in the forecast for the coming week. Expect thawing and re-freezing on all trails with some icy conditions. Spikes/traction is recommended for hikers on most trails. Snow shoeing is possible on some upper trails including Bear Paw, upper Mason Creek, Chimney Rock, Lions Back, Lions Head and West Meadow.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon continues to be icy. Use caution, especially when coming down this part of the trail.

Lower trails:
this includes Staunton Ranch(SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), cabin district, access road and all climbing access trails--some drying but snow packed and icy conditions. Traction is recommended.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--icy and snow packed
• Upper Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed with icy areas
• Bear Paw (BP)--snow packed and icy
• Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed with icy areas
• Border Line--(BL)--snow packed with icy areas---some drying on the west side
• Scout Line--(SL)--mostly snow packed with some icy areas
• Marmot Passage--(MP)--east side and summit--snow packed---west side intermittant dry and snow packed
• Chimney Rock--(CR)--east side is snow packed---west side some drying mixed with snow pack
• Elk Falls--(EF)--upper part is snow packed with some icy spots and lower section toward falls some drying but iciness in spots
• Lions Back--(LB)--deep snow with little packing all the way to Elk Falls overlook
• Lions Head--(LH)--barely broken in---some deep snow in spots---not packed
• West Meadow--(WM)--barely broken in with deep snow in some areas--not packed
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow packed

Staunton State Park trails report for December 28, 2019
From the staff at Staunton
Please note: On New Years Day this coming Wednesday the park will be once again offering its First Day hikes, and, new this year, a First Day Bike thanks to our friends at Evergreen Mountain Sports! In addition to the hikes led by park volunteers, refreshments will be available courtesy of Friends of Staunton State Park. You'll find them at the Track Chair garage at the Meadows parking lot.

Due to yesterday's storm, which dumped about 5 inches of snow on the park, all trails will be snow covered. Snow shoeing and cross country skiing is possible. Please note that previous to the storm all trails were covered in packed snow and ice which form a foundation under the snow. Hikers should consider using some form of traction/spikes for all trails and bikers should use caution, especially when coming downhill on trails. Upper trails will be covered in deep snow, including Bear Paw, upper Mason Creek, West Meadow, Lions Head and Lions Back.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon has glassy ice covering the trail under the snow. Also, ice flows exist covering upper Mason Creek trail near the aspen meadow and also a flow covering Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Some drying may occur this week. However, all users should expect trails to be snow covered and icy as colder temperatures will not allow for much melting and drying.

Staunton State Park trails report for January 4, 2020

Some drying has occurred in the park this week, but trails are still mostly covered with packed snow and ice and in some cases mud. Spikes are recommended especially for lower trails where thawing and re-freezing is taking place and these trails are especially icy in the morning. Bikers: trails are in excellent shape and are mostly well-packed. There is a possibility for snow in the coming week, so expect trails will be snowy with packed conditions underneath the new layer if snow comes in.

Cautions:
Mason Creek canyon is icy. Take care when coming down this trail. Spikes are highly recommended for hikers.
Ice flows are covering upper Mason Creek trail near the aspen meadow and Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Lower trails:
These will include Staunton Ranch, lower Mason Creek, Davis Ponds, Chase Meadow, cabin district, all climbing access and the access road: snow packed with some drying and icy spots.

Upper trails:
These will include Mason Creek canyon, upper Mason Creek, Bear Paw, Old Mill, Border Line, Scout Line, Marmot Passage, Chimney Rock, Elk Falls, Lions Back, Lions Head, West Meadow and Bugling Elk: trails are mostly well-packed. Some drying, especially on west sides of these trails, exists with some icing.

Photos: Marmot Passage, view from Lion's Head, West Meadow, and Staunton Ranch

Beautiful Sunday morning at the park! Come out and enjoy the clear skies!


Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday January 11, 2020

The park received some measurable snow during the storm on Friday. As a result all trails are covered with a layer of snow and patches of ice exist under the snow pack. This week with the warmer and dryer conditions forecasted expect melting and re-freezing to occur causing trails to become snow-packed and icy with some drying on lower trails. Upper trails will continue to be snow packed with some icy conditions. Traction/spikes are recommended for ALL trails in the park. Snow shoeing is possible on some upper trails such as Bear Paw, West Meadow and Lions Head.

Cautions:
Although snow is covering the trail in Mason Creek canyon, glassy ice exists under this thin layer. All users should use caution when traveling through this area and especially coming down this section of trail.

Ice flows are covering upper Mason Creek trail near the aspen meadow and Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Lower trails:
These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), the cabin district, all climbing access and the access road: These trails have a mixture of snow pack and ice mixed with drying conditions.

Upper trails:
Including Mason Creek canyon (MC), upper Mason Creek (MC), Bear Paw (BP), Old Mill (OM), Border Line (BL), Scout Line (SL), Marmot Passage (MP), Chimney Rock (CR), Elk Falls (EF), Lions Back (LB), Lions Head (LH), West Meadow (WM) and Bugling Elk (BE). Due to the recent storm, these trails are snow covered and packed. Icy patches exist under the snow and these trails will become slicker with thawing and re-freezing this week. Some deep snow exists, especially on West Meadow, upper Mason Creek and Bear Paw trails and some areas of these trails are NOT well packed.

Photos from Mason Creek and Bear Paw


You may even see this little guy! He likes to hang out around Elk Falls Pond, and is affectionately called Stumpy due to his half tail.

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday January 18, 2020

The park did not receive any measurable precipitation this week. As a result, drying, thawing and re-freezing has taken place on all trails. Lower trails have some dry areas but still some packed snow and ice while upper trails are snow packed with some icy and a few dry areas. Hikers should bring some type of traction which can be used on all trails. With warmer and dry weather in the forecast for the coming week expect trails to continue to dry out and thawing and re-freezing to continue.

Cautions:
Mason Creek canyon is icy and is especially slippery when coming down the trail. Bikers should consider dismounting in steep areas of this part of the trail.

Ice flows exist on some upper trails, including upper Mason Creek, Border Line and Scout Line.

Lower trails:
These will include Staunton Ranch, lower Mason Creek, Davis Ponds, cabin district, Chase Meadow, Dines Meadow, all climbing access and access road---trails are a mixture of dry with snow pack and icy areas. Traction/spikes recommended.

Upper trails:

• upper Mason Creek (MC)--some dry areas with areas of packed snow and ice---ice flow covers the trail near the aspen meadow
• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--snow packed and icy
• Bear Paw (BP)--snow packed and icy with some drying on summit areas
• Old Mill (OM)--snow packed and icy with some drying areas
• Border Line (BL)--some dry areas mixed with snow pack and ice---ice flow covers the trail near the Old Mill
• Scout Line (SL)--mostly snow packed with icy areas---some dry areas on the summit
• Marmot Passage (MP)---snow packed with some icy areas--some drying on the west side
• Chimney Rock (CR)--snow packed--some dry areas on the west side
• Elk Falls (EF)--upper part has some snow pack and icy areas including the steps--lower section is mostly dry
• Lions Back (LB)--snow packed
• Lions Head (LH)--snow packed
• West Meadow (WM)--snow packed
• Bugling Elk (BE)--east side is snow packed with icy areas---west side is mostly dry